Life Kit

Today's teens struggle with perfectionism and mood swings, and their parents struggle to have hard conversations with them, according to a 2024 Walton Family Foundation and Gallup poll. Teen psychologist Lisa Damour explains how parents can better support their kids as a new school year begins. This episode originally published August 27, 2024. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit [https://www.instagram.com/nprlifekit/?hl=en] Sign up for our newsletter here. [https://www.npr.org/newsletter/life-kit] Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.org [lifekit@npr.org] Support the show and listen to it sponsor-free by signing up for Life Kit+ at plus.npr.org/lifekit [http://plus.npr.org/lifekit] Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices] NPR Privacy Policy [https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy]

Quitting is often associated with failure. But choosing to walk away from a goal can help you save time, identify what you truly want and create space for other pursuits. This episode, how to evaluate your goal, figure out its cost and know when it's time to throw in the towel. For handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR’s Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub [http://npr.org/podclub]. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit [https://www.instagram.com/nprlifekit/?hl=en] Sign up for our newsletter here. [https://www.npr.org/newsletter/life-kit] Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.org [lifekit@npr.org] Support the show and listen to it sponsor-free by signing up for Life Kit+ at plus.npr.org/lifekit [http://plus.npr.org/lifekit] Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices] NPR Privacy Policy [https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy]

Eating disorders are complicated illnesses that are often misunderstood. Dr. Eva Trujillo, a specialist in eating disorders, says eating disorders "literally rewire the brain," decrease brain size and make it harder to concentrate and regulate emotions. Emily Kwong, host of NPR's Short Wave, talks about the physical and mental impacts of eating disorders and how to recover in a world steeped in diet culture. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit [https://www.instagram.com/nprlifekit/?hl=en] Sign up for our newsletter here. [https://www.npr.org/newsletter/life-kit] Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.org [lifekit@npr.org] Support the show and listen to it sponsor-free by signing up for Life Kit+ at plus.npr.org/lifekit [http://plus.npr.org/lifekit] For handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR’s Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub [http://npr.org/podclub] Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices] NPR Privacy Policy [https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy]

We use encouragement and support to get through life's big moments. But what about a little pep talk for those smaller moments, like when it's raining and your dog needs to go out? Or some inspiration to help you parallel park or send that email you've been avoiding? In this episode, Paula Skaggs and Josh Linden, co-authors of the book Tiny Pep Talks, share bite-sized motivation for everyday nuisances. For handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR’s Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices] NPR Privacy Policy [https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy]

Helping an aging parent with end-of-life planning? Financial journalist Cameron Huddleston explains how to broach the topic with your parents — and the documents and plans they should have in place. This episode originally published on Sept. 25, 2023. For handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR’s Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices] NPR Privacy Policy [https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy]